August 30, 2017 – Pacific Gas and Electric Company is working in close coordination with Cal Fire on the Ponderosa Fire, which is burning in a mountainous area east of Oroville. The fire began at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, and grew rapidly, growing to more than 2,500 acres by morning.
On Tuesday night after PG&E crews were allowed access into parts of the burn area, PG&E restored power to 179 of the 284 customers who lost power during the fire. Crews have also pre-treated more than 100 wooden utility poles with fire retardant in areas near the fire and will continue to spray more poles today.
PG&E has identified more than 60 damaged poles and downed power lines and is prepared to move into fire-affected areas once Cal Fire deems it safe to do so to fully assess damage, remove damaged trees near power lines, and rebuild poles, power lines and equipment.
Downed power lines are dangerous. Never touch them. Always assume that a fallen power line is live, and call 911 immediately to report a fallen power line.